Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Adding Loyalty to Love"

Visitors at historic "Sunnyside" at Irvington, New York, home of Washington Irving, learn that he was not only a famous author but also a lawyer and foreign diplomat. "Sunnyside" never had a matron, for Martha Hoffman, to whom Irving was engaged, died before she was 18, and he remained a bachelor for the rest of his life. He did, however, carry her Bible with him wherever he traveled, at home or abroad. To love he added loyalty.

"The memory of the righteous will be a blessing" (Proverbs 10:7), states the holy writer. It is good to remember our benefactors, living or dead. Saint Paul writes to Timothy, "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5). Spouses, parents, pastors, and teachers are among those who have been a blessing to us. The author of the epistle to the Hebrews states, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you. "Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith" (Hebrews 13:7).

Washington Irving did not have to live the 50 years alone after his fiancé's death. He could have married someone else. He chose, however, to show his loyalty by remaining single. He honored the memory of his hoped-for bride by treasuring her Bible. Our departed ones have undoubtedly left us things, great thoughts, examples, and we are thankful for this. The greatest treasure, humanly speaking, we can leave behind are children who walk in the ways of the Lord. Timothy was a blessing who honored the memory of Lois and Eunice.

Saint Paul goes on to tell Timothy, "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead" (2 Timothy 2:8). Jesus is our dearest Friend, for He bore all our sins and griefs. We honor our Savior when, to our love for Him, we add loyalty to His Word and continue in it steadfastly.

PRAYER: Help me remember, O Holy Spirit, the many blessings You brought to me through those near and dear to me. Amen.

(Devotions from "With Jesus Every Day" copyright 1997, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

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